Part 65 (1/2)
”Of that,” said the Chairman, ”I think there need be no apprehension whatever. You have heard his letter. But, I repeat, we must not compound a felony!”
”I submit, Mr. Chairman,” said one who had not spoken--and he was a barrister--”that the Company knows nothing at all about Lady Harry Norland. We have had to deal with the firm of Erskine, Mansfield, Denham & Co., of Lincoln's Inn Fields: and a most respectable firm too.
On their representations we paid the money. If it can be ascertained that we have been defrauded we must look to them. If we have to prosecute anybody it must be that respectable firm.”
”Good,” said the Chairman.
”I propose, therefore, that the Secretary write to Lord Harry Norland, informing him that the Company have had nothing at all to do with his wife, and do not recognise her action in any way. We shall then see what happens, and can proceed in accordance.”
At this moment a card was brought in. It was that of Mr. Erskine himself, senior partner in the very firm.
He came in, old, eminently respectable, but shaken. He was greatly shaken. ”Gentlemen,” he said nervously, ”I hasten to bring you a communication, a most extraordinary communication, which I have just received. It is nothing less than a confession--a full confession--from a person whom I had every reason to believe was dead. It is from Lord Harry Norland.”
”We know already,” said the Chairman, superior, ”the main facts which you are going to lay before us. We are met to-day in order to discuss our action in view of these facts. There has been a conspiracy of a very artful and ingenious character. It has been successful so far through the action of a woman. By the action of the same woman it is sought to make rest.i.tution. The hand of justice, however--”
”Perhaps,” said the lawyer, ”you will oblige me by allowing me to read the letter.”
”Pray read it”--the Chairman bowed--”though I do not suppose it will add to the information we already possess.”
”Gentlemen”--the lawyer read--”You will be surprised and pained to learn that I am not--as you were given to understand--dead; but on the other hand, living and in the enjoyment of rude health. I see no reason why my life should not be prolonged to threescore years and ten.
”The claim, therefore, which you sent in to the Royal Unicorn Life Insurance Company was fraudulent. It was the result of a deep-laid conspiracy. You have been made the innocent accomplice of a great crime.
”My wife, who now knows the whole truth, is most anxious for rest.i.tution to be made. She is about to restore that portion of the money which lies in her name. Most of the rest will be sent back by myself, on certain conditions.
”In communicating the fact of my being still alive to the head of my family you will please also to inform him that I authorise the discontinuance of the premium. This will save the family 300 pounds a year. This will be a solatium to him for the fact that his brother still lives to disgrace the name. If I should die before the next premium is due I order my heirs not to claim the money.--I remain, Gentlemen, your obedient servant,
”HARRY NORLAND.”
”The premium which should have been paid under ordinary circ.u.mstances,”
said the Secretary, ”was due six weeks ago. The policy has therefore expired.”
”It is a characteristic letter,” said the lawyer. ”Lord Harry was born to be a trouble to his family. There has never been a time, so far as I remember, when he was not a trouble and a disgrace. Hitherto, however, he has avoided actual crime--at least, actual detection. Now, I suppose, the game is up. Yet, gentlemen, the letter is not that of an utter villain.”
”He will not be caught,” observed the Chairman. ”The letter is from too cool a hand. He has prepared a retreat. I dare say by this time he is in some safe and convenient disguise. We are only concerned--are we not?--for the moment with the lady. She has received the money from you. We paid it to you on your representations.”
”Observe,” said the lawyer, ”that the moment she learns the truth she hastens to make rest.i.tution.”
”Humph!” said the Director, turning over Lord Harry's letter so that the lawyer should not be able to read the contents. ”Have you seen her?”
”I have not. I expect to do so before long. She will certainly call upon me.”
”She will be ill-advised,” said the Chairman, ”if she calls upon anybody just at present. Well, sir, I confess that I should be sorry--every member of this Board would be sorry--to see that lady placed in the dock beside her husband.”
”In the interests of the n.o.ble family concerned, I hope that neither of them will be placed in the dock.”
”Do you know who is the other man--the second princ.i.p.al?”
”I can guess. I do not know, however, where he is. All I know is what I have communicated to you--the contents of this letter.”
”One would like to get hold of the other man,” said the Chairman.